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Magna Carta in New Zealand

The Magna Carta 800 Committee for New Zealand, chaired by Dr Jennifer Lees-Marshment at the University of Auckland, is aiming to encourage, coordinate and promote celebrations of the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta in New Zealand.

The committee’s vision is not just to commemorate the past, but also to look at how the principles of the Magna Carta are being upheld today, as well as looking at where we want to take those principles in the future under the theme Celebrating the past; Reflecting on the present; Imagining the future.

The project encourages consideration of the history of Magna Carta itself, the Bill of rights, the rule and role of law generally, but also human rights in relation to many areas including children, youth, women, Maori, immigrants and also newer political issues such as internet access, digital privacy, housing, prisoners, consumer rights, employment, educational and environmental. Through a range of events including a lecture series, panels at several conferences, an essay prize and a parliamentary reception, the committee hopes not just to reflect on the past, but to promote a debate about how we want New Zealand law – and society – to develop in the decades to come.

On Monday 16th March, a Magna Carta essay competition was launched by Attorney-General Chris Finlayson for all New Zealand secondary and tertiary students. Click here for more information.

Featured Article

Alice Richmond

Deputy Chairman, Magna Carta 800th Committee

Rex no potest peccare (The King can do no wrong). How many of you have read Unbroken, the bestseller by Laura Hillenbrand about Olympic runner Louis Zamperini ‘s experiences in World War II? Perhaps ...